China continues to occupy regions in the South China Sea that have historically belonged to other countries, and continues a massive military effort to enforce its seizures. In addition to building oil rigs and taking control of fishing grounds in other countries’ territories, China has been building man-made islands to use as military bases and landing strips. China has claimed the entire South China Sea, including regions historically belonging to Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines. China’s claims are rejected by almost everyone outside of China, and China refuses to submit them to the United Nations court deciding such matters, apparently knowing that they would lose. Instead, China is becoming increasingly belligerent militarily, annexing other nations’ territories, and militarizing the entire sea.
China has already created a new island nearly 2 miles long and several hundred yards wide. China is rapidly building five man-made islands from tiny reefs and shoals in the South China Sea. These islands will be used for military operations, including combat and support aircraft, when the inevitable day arrives that China’s seizures of other countries’ territories lead to a military confrontation that could spiral into war. LA Times and Janes Defense Weekly